London, Ontario
1918-04-09: James was injured in an air crash in a Sopwith Pup while at 54TS, Castle Bromwich when he was flying solo. He misjudged the height and failed to clear a tree, which he struck, prior to crashing. He recovered from his injuries and served in the RAF without incident.
James, Cecil David Jr. (2nd-Lieutenant)
Survived 1918-April-09
Birth Date: 1892-January-25
Born: Oakville, Halton County, Ontario
Parents: the late Frederick W. James & the late Isabella Helena Clark
Spouse: Willa Irene Effingham (died 1961)
Home: London, Ontario
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RAF
Unit
54 (OT) TSTS (RAF)
Base
Castle Bromwich England
Rank
2nd-Lieutenant
Position
pilot-trainee
Service Numbers
Finadagrave.comPup serial: B7501
Source Kestrel Publications.
The Sopwith Pup quickly became a favourite with pilots of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). It was superior to the Fokker D.III and more than a match for any of the new Halberstadt and Albatros scouts.
Armed with a single synchronous machine gun, it was lighter and less dangerous than its successor, the Sopwith Camel. Although underpowered, pilots liked the plane because it was maneuverable and fast. It could climb and hold its altitude better than any other fighter. In August 1917, the Sopwith Pup was the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, the Royal Navy's H.M.S. Furious. Canadian crews saw service with Sopwith Pups while attached to the Royal Naval Air Service.
At least three Sopwith Pups were also allocated to No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron of the Canadian Air Force (CAF) at Shoreham-by-the-Sea in the UK in 1918 likely as proficiency trainers. No. 1 (CAF) Squadron had Sopwith Dolphin and Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a's on strength as the primary fighter aircraft. Kestrel Publications
I have looked up the booklet that is all I have on the Sopwith Pup. There is a brief list of the serial numbers, And all I can tell is that B5333 and B5348 were built at Whitehead Aircraft, Richmond as part of the series B5251-B5400. None of the serials B4158, B4148, B4338 that you asked about seem to be valid according to the list that I have here (no serials from any of the producing factories begin with B4).
Sopwith Pup Details - Kestrel Publications